Lowcost Carrier To Get Uniteds Miami Flights

By Sherri C. Ranta United Airlines this fall will move its daily service from Miami International Airport to its low-cost carrier, a move designed to increase passenger numbers.

United’s decision to fly Ted to and from Miami will benefit the airport because it will increase the number of popular low-cost carriers, said Miguel Southwell, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department’s assistant director for business development.

Ted, named after the last three letters of "United," will join low-cost AirTran Airways, America West Airlines and Alaska Airlines at Miami. United’s four daily flights – two to Denver and two to Washington Dulles, will be converted Sept. 7, followed Oct. 31 by two daily flights to Chicago.

The number of flights will remain at its present level, Mr. Southwell said. "We, of course, hope service will do well and we will have an increase in service eventually."

Ted flies out of Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.

Miami International this month launched a program to attract more carriers by offering landing-fee waivers for new flights. The incentive program also applies to international fights, Mr. Southwell said, but the service must be for new destinations.

"MIA currently has more international seats than any airport in the country," Mr. Southwell said. "We would like to protect our leader status."

Miami officials are talking with Asian carriers such as Japan Airlines to add service to major economic centers such as Tokyo, Taiwan and other cities in Europe and Africa as a way to boost Miami’s economy.

"If tomorrow we were to have service to Hong Kong," Mr. Southwell said, "you would see in six months a major increase in the number of Chinese companies setting up in Miami."